Should the NFL pay out disability compensation to former athletes?

Question

If they do, I think they should have like a 10 year minimum an athlete has to play to receive some kind of compensation for a MAJOR injury. In most cases where they can't have a normal occupation outside of football? But then I ask with millions of dollars made in that time, you should be able to afford it. Mike Ditka said on ESPN that the NFL owes to these players for making football what it is today that they just maintain. What are your thoughts football world?

Answer 1

What about guys that played in the 50's and 60's?

They didn't make millions of dollars. Many of them had jobs in the off season.

Know something before asking or answering a question, geeeeeez.
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Answer 2

These guys make more in a year than I will see in a lifetime! NO - the NFL does not owe disability compensation to anybody. These players are grown men who are responsible for their own actions and choices. They play this game knowing that there is always a possibility that they could suffer a career ending or life altering injury. That's part of the game, that's why they get paid the big bucks now. I'm so sick of hearing how these poor athletes are being used, abused, and exploited unknowingly by the NFL, or MLB, or NBA, etc, etc, etc. That is a bunch of CRAP! The base anual salary for a MLB player is more than the president of the United States! All to play a game!

Answer 3

The NFL already does pay disabled former players. The problem is the payments for some of the real old ones is based on their salaries at the time they played which were considerably less by comparison. Also the terms and conditions former players must meet to be eligible for compensation are very restrictive. That is the one area that Ditka thinks the league is being far to harsh on.

Answer 4

I think so. Take away all the high profile aspects, and these guys are doing a job just like all of us. CEO's of major corporations make the same as some NFL players and they get disability and all that stuff. Why shouldn't NFL players? Just because a guy makes more money doesn't mean he shouldn't have access to the same benefits. There's a reason that those guys get paid so much. It's because you and I couldn't walk on to a team and throw like Peyton Manning, or catch a ball like Chad Johnson, or run like LT2. These guys are gifted athletes. They have dedicated their lives to being the best player they can possibly be and their reward is to play in the NFL, so yes, I think they should get disability if they should need it later in life.

Answer 5

I agree with you, but I don't think it should be based on a 10 year service standard. I think it should be based on the severity of the injury/injuries or a 3-4 year minimum service standard. This multi billion dollar industry was built on these guy's blood, sweat tears and bodies and we OWE it to them in spite of today's enormous salaries to take care of them when their health is RUINED by this GAME we've turned into a business.

Answer 6

Yes, these players sacrifice there bodies like no other sport. Good luck walking after the NFL. These guys are crippled and get very little. You want overpriced prima donnas go to the NBA or MLB. Those guys are waaaay too overpaid, bunch of little sissies.

Answer 7

The short term answer: Yes. But the League needs to get some kind of insurance plan in place for it's current athletes for when they retire. And it has to teach these guys how to save for the future.

Answer 8

I say no. Where in the hell did all that money that they made go? It has to be somewhere. If they were stupid enough to spend it all (which is a lot) then why should the NFL have to pay for it?